Neurotransmitters and Neuropeptides
Sympathetic nerves that control the heart normally release norepinephrine (NE) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). We found that after myocardial infarction these nerves also make acetylcholine (ACh).
TH staining correlates with NE production, while VAChT staining identifies ACh. In control hearts, the green and red labels are in separate nerve populations. After MI, green ACh vesicles are present in red NE fibers.
